Man charged in Somerset County bank robbery; 3 family members charged with hindering
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – A Monmouth County man has been charged for allegedly robbing a bank in Franklin Township, and three of his family members have been charged for allegedly hindering his apprehension, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
On August 22, at around 2:08 p.m., police received a call that a robbery had occurred at a bank located in the area of Route 27. Michael Gaboff, 36, of Millstone Township is accused of entering the bank and demanding money from multiple bank tellers, McDonald said.
The bank tellers ultimately turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to Gaboff based on his demands and he subsequently fled the scene on a motorcycle, wearing black shoes, black pants, black shirt, black mask, a black motorcycle helmet and goggles, McDonald said.
As a result of the three-month investigation involving the Franklin Township Police Department, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and FBI Newark, Gaboff was identified as the individual that robbed the bank, McDonald said.
On Friday, December 2, with the assistance of the Newark FBI SWAT Team, agents from the FBI Newark – Franklin Township Resident Agency Office, members of the Franklin Township Police Department, members of the Monroe Township Police Department, members of the New Jersey State Police, and detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant at Gaboff’ s residence in Millstone Township, McDonald said.
Gaboff was arrested in Ocean Township and charged with second-degree robbery and second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery. He was then lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
As a result of this investigation, the below listed family members of Michael Gaboff were each arrested and charged with third-degree hindering:
- Alan Gaboff, 66, of Millstone Township
- Sharon Gaboff, 60, of Millstone Township
- Jesse Gaboff, 23, Millstone Township
All three were released pending a court appearance, McDonald said.
Anyone with information relating to this bank robbery to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
